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General discussion

Should I uninstall older version of Microsoft .Net Framework

by emil.sekula Oct 3, 2007 2:28AM PDT

Hello
I have an one question about Microsoft .Net Framework. Should I uninstall older version of Microsoft .Net Framework (in my case 2.0 Service Pack 1) because actually I have two versions:
Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0 Service Pack 1 and
Microsoft .Net Framework 3.0 Service Pack 1 ?
Regards

Discussion is locked

6 Posts
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The shortest answer.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Oct 3, 2007 3:00AM PDT

Leave the latest version of each .Net 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 on the machine. There are long passages about this so I'll boil it down to the simplest answer I can give.

The other item is that Net 2.0 is not the new version of Net 1.0 but a new edition. The difference is subtle and I can see how many will think of them as versions.

Bob

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Shorter answer. . .
by Coryphaeus Oct 3, 2007 8:29AM PDT

Unless your computer needs .Net, uninstall it all.

My IBM ThinkCentres (2) and my ThinkPad (1) need it for the IBM updates. My home-built XP Pro web/network server has no need for it.

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removing earlier versions of NET.Framework
by moshenatan Apr 6, 2010 8:41PM PDT

I've been checking up on this for years.Every time I go to "add-remove" page I check size & all these versions are on the top.I've wanted to zap them forever. From what I've learned they are all needed,but your answer is correct :" Unless your computer needs .Net, uninstall it all."
The same would be if I went to my car mechanic and mentioned to him that the weight of the engine gives me less milage per gallon. "Can I take out the engine to save on weight?" I ask him?
" Unless your car needs it, take it all out". Many things won't work without the earlier versions.

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You might be safe
by Dango517 Oct 3, 2007 3:42PM PDT

uninstalling older versions of .net but do not remove them entirely. (Frankly, I'm a little leary of even advising you to remove any versions. I'm going to trust Bob on this one. Besides it's not my computer we're talking about.) These are often installed on other Microsoft software and if you uninstall them this original software program(s) will not work. If you do make a mistake the offended program will show it's self, soon and you'll have to down load it again. This program might be your Operating System (OS). Remember, I told you so.

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Net 1.0 is not the older version of Net 2.0.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Oct 4, 2007 1:15AM PDT

There are entirely different and sadly confusing at first.

If I have a Net 1.0 application and remove Net 1.0 but install Net 2.0, everytime (for me) the Net 1.0 application fails since it can't find it's library.

The "version" of Net 1.0 is that SP(number). You want the latest SP for each issue of Net you need.

Hope this clears this up. Sorry if I was unclear.

Bob

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Yes, I understand
by Dango517 Oct 4, 2007 11:15AM PDT

.net 1 is not .net 2 whether or not there are version within each .net I don't recall and will not take the time to look it up.

Good to know that SP1 corresponds with .net 1, etc. I'll make a mental note of it.

I'd still not advise uninstalling them but if you do they can be replaced if you remember the version you've uninstalled.

Some time ago I was working with Visual Basis and noticed that one of the .net was included in it. Had I not notice during the install. I might have deleted it form the add/remove programs. I spent some time examining this feature and will stick with my opinion.

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